We try to shelter our kids from harm. Makes sense.
The other day, our 11-year-old got out of school early because it was too hot.
We try to eliminate discomfort – physical, emotional, and psychological. We even pass laws. Ok. I’m not saying I’m not for it.
The long-term results for many?
For people who have only known comfort and things going well inside their comfort zones, discomfort is a horror that is hard to take.
So they play it safe, and don’t take chances because it may not work out peachy at first.
I’d prescribe real struggle for many to make their life better in the long-term. (I’d rather not be around to hear their complaining, though.)
I am quite qualified to give this advice.
It worked for me.
Great post. I am also thankful for my struggles…especially the very recent and painful ones. They changed me for the better. They were an excellent teacher.
The comforts that now are matter of fact for our Children concern me. It seems to get easier generation by generation. My particular story growing up was not the norm. However, what I was forced to learn, and experience has made many achievements in my life, that much better! Having raised 2 nurses and a Marine who did 6 years of active duty, makes me proud that my kids had the ability to make decisions that were not so cushy. (covid) They still have the ability to work their way to cushy at some point. I feel we all need to experience something that tests us and makes us work our way through something. If we don’t have to, and life stays grand-awesome! But overcoming a challenge and adversity, gives one the opportunity to look inside and see what we really are made of. I’m 66 and not done yet! Thanks Larry .
When I was a kid, if it got really hot, the teacher would just pull the shades down and we continued on with the class. Didn’t kill us! No schools had A/C back then but boy do I like it now! LOL
Instead of teaching young people to persevere amid difficult conditions, these schools are providing yet another soft landing for them. Last month in CT, the students were released at noon because of “excessive heat” – it was 85 degrees with 61% humidity at the time. Ugh.
Thank you Larry. I believe struggles make us stronger and then we’re able to help others through their struggles. It’s all about helping people in my life!
this is along the same lines as “The only people who never fail, are the people who have never tried.” Never a truer saying. Moving forward many times involves failing. Failure is the opportunity to learn and get better.
Funny.. you don’t know what you don’t know ( back then) now we know and understand fully 🙂
I completely agree with you! We are two generations deep in raising a bunch of pansies and we need to put a stop to it. Even the military has a time-out card now so that drill sergeants can’t keep pushing if the recruit wants a break. Having an easy life in our youth will lead to having a very hard life later.
It’s difficult to put the genie back in the bottle and insert discomfort into our comfortable modern lives. But if we cannot impart struggle, then the next best thing is perspective. Make it known that AC is a luxury, that not everyone has it, other parts of the world lack it, our grandparents grew up without it, it uses a lot of energy so be careful with it, and so on.